Evan Spotted Bright Clothing Below the Forest Overlook — Then Ranger Cole Saw Where the Fresh Footprints Led
Chapter 2 — The Orange Jacket
Cole stood.
“Aaron?”
The maintenance worker looked toward the valley.
“We should get down there first.”
“Answer the question.”
Aaron swallowed.
“I was here earlier.”
Michael looked toward the footprints.
“How much earlier?”
“Maybe an hour.”
Cole’s expression hardened.
“Why didn’t you report the broken railing?”
Aaron hesitated.
“I didn’t see it.”
Cole stared at him.
The railing was impossible to miss.
But before he could press further, Evan called out.
“Something moved.”
Everyone turned toward the valley.
The orange fabric shifted again.
Cole immediately secured a rope around the reinforced support post.
Another ranger arrived to assist.
Michael kept Evan well away from the edge.
Cole descended slowly.
Thirty feet.
Forty.
Then his radio crackled.
“It’s a jacket.”
Michael looked toward Aaron.
The man’s face had gone pale.
Cole continued.
“No person attached.”
A few minutes later, he climbed back up carrying the orange jacket inside an evidence bag.
There was a name written on the inside collar.
LEAH PARKER.
Aaron closed his eyes.
Cole noticed immediately.
“You know her.”
Aaron nodded slowly.
“She’s one of our seasonal trail volunteers.”
“Where is she?”
Aaron looked toward the forest.
“I don’t know.”
Cole’s voice became colder.
“Try again.”
Aaron whispered:
“She was supposed to meet me here this morning.”
